Several city of Round Rock officials have declared candidacy ahead of the City Council election set for May 6.
Round Rock Mayor Craig Morgan confirmed during the 2022 Round Rock Chamber State of the City Power Lunch on Dec. 6 that he will seek re-election in May.
Place 1 incumbent Michelle Ly also announced that she would seek re-election on Dec. 13. Days later, Greg Rabaey, Round Rock Planning and Zoning Commission vice chair, announced his intention to leave the commission to pursue candidacy in the race for Place 4.
The mayor's council seat, as well as places 1 and 4, will appear on the May 6 ballot as part of the regular election cycle. Morgan was first elected mayor in 2017 and won his second term in 2020. Ly has been the Place 1 council member since 2020, and Place 4 Council Member Frank Ortega occupies Place 4 but has not yet announced a run for reelection to that seat.
During the luncheon, Morgan addressed questions from KVUE anchor Bryan Mays, who posed the question of whether he would appear on the May ballot. After receiving clearance regarding health concerns, Morgan said he decided with his wife, Amanda, that he would run again for the seat.
"Amanda and I made this our home, and we want to give back as much as we can to the community," Morgan said. "This council, I'm forever grateful to them. So you will be seeing my name on the ballot in May."
Morgan also serves on the St. David's Round Rock Medical Center board of trustees, on the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board and as a member of the Rotary Club of Round Rock.
Ly has served on the city council since 2020, and stated via release that she plans to continue prioritizing public safety improvements and maintain the city's reputation for low tax rates compared to cities of similar size.
“I’m proud to call Round Rock my home and proud to help lead our city during this critical time in its history,” Ly said in the release. “Round Rock’s extraordinary growth continues to present new challenges and exciting new opportunities for our city. That’s why it’s more important than ever that we continue to have experienced leaders who are focused on keeping our community safe, spending our tax dollars responsibly, investing in infrastructure for the future, and creating an inclusive environment where every Round Rock citizen feels empowered to contribute to, and benefit from, our success.”
Ly, a lifelong Round Rock resident, serves on the Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center Board of Directors, CHASCO YMCA Board of Directors and the Round Rock Rotary Board of Directors. She is a member of the Professional Women of Williamson County and National Women in Roofing, as well. Ly has previously served on the Board of Directors for the Round Rock Chamber, the Round Rock Planning and Zoning Commission, and the Capital Improvements Advisory Committee.
Rabaey, president of Santanna Energy Services, has also served on the city’s Charter Review Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment and the Capital Improvements Committee.
He is also a participant in local efforts, including Scouts BSA, Sertoma Round Rock, The Northwest Austin Rotary Club, Round Rock Area Serving Center, Knights of Columbus and Round Rock Youth Baseball/Softball.
As a Round Rock resident of 30 years, Rabaey said he seeks to represent the citizenry he described as a “community of generous, hardworking people.”
“Round Rock is facing some serious challenges, and we need leaders who are serious about solving them,” he stated in a release. “Whether it’s keeping our families safe from crime, keeping our property taxes low, or keeping traffic from clogging our roads, we need more than an empty chair on the Round Rock City Council. We need someone who’s prepared to fight for a better future for our children and grandchildren.”
